6/14/08

Sprinter can put himself in frame for Games today but needs to get back into shape

In the swirl of controversy that has surrounded Dwain Chambers' attempts to compete in the 100 metres at the Olympics one key fact has been largely overlooked: if he cannot run the necessary qualifying time or is not quick enough to be one of the three Britons selected, no legal challenge in the world will get him to Beijing.

At 11.20 this morning Chambers will run his third race over the distance this year having set times of 10.28sec and 10.25sec so far. The qualifying time is 10.21sec. The British Olympic Association will finalise its team on July 20 after the trials on July 11-13 and Chambers may wait until these are over to decide whether to take the association to court to appeal against his Olympic ban.